Switch-point lock.



No 874,686. PATBNTED DEC. 24, 1907. J. B. L'ATIMER. SWITCH POINT LOCK. 4

APPLICATION mum 0012a 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

PATENTBD DEC. 24. 1907.

-T. B. LATIMER. SWITCH POINT LOCK.

APPLICATION FILED 00122. 1900 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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UNITED STATES PATE T? clarion. A

JAMES B. LATIMER,'OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ARTHUR D. CLOUD, FRANK M.

PATTERSON, AND FRED W. RIZER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

swr'rcn-Pomr Look.

This invention relates to a novel switch point lock designed ,to positively lock the switch points either in t eiropen or closed positions independently of the action of the switch actuating mechanism; whereby derangement of the switch actuating mechanism does not impair the efiiciency of the look.

My novel switch point lock is applicable for use at the locations of manually operable switch stands which operate to opena switch or side track to the main track, and

vice versa.

The invention consists in the matters hereinafter set'forth and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Among the'objects of my invention is to provide a locking device .which operates independently of the actuating mechanism of the switch stand to positively lock the switch points in both their opening and closing positions and which is readily releasable to permit the switch to be opened and closed. 4

A further object of the invention is to provide a switch-point locking device, the operative parts of which are adapted to be set in a' releasing or lock-set position, and so constructed that, movement of the switch points to one position operates automatically on the lock set parts to positively lock the switch in the position towards which it has just been shifted.

As shown in the drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of a portion of the main and side track showing the usual switch stand equipment and my improved switch point locking device. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the locking device showing it in position to ,lock the switch points in normal or closed Fig. 3 is a similar view showing parts of the device in the position the assume psoition.

when the switch points are unloc edpre Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed October 2. 1906. Serial 110 337094.

Patented, Dec. 24, 1907.

' paratory to throwing the switch. Fig. 4 is a view of said parts when in position to lock the switch points open. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view taken longitudinally of the switch point lock rod, showing the osition of the parts when the switch is locke closed. Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the position of the parts for locking, the switch open. Fig. 7 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section of the switch point locking device. Fi 8 is an end view of the sup porting an guiding base for the locking frame of the locking device.

As shown in the drawings, the switch stand A is located in its usual position relatively to the switch points B B and the main track, and is connected in the usual manner,

through the medium of the switch rod A, with the switch points to throw the same from one osition to-the other.

I have erein shown one approved embodiment of. my invention but it will be understood that the details ofthe mechanism may be variously constructed without departing from the essential principle of the invention.

My novel locking device, which is independent of the switch stand when operating to ock the switch points, comprises, in general terms, a-locking device which is, as a whole,

mounted stationary on a suitable support or 3 base, as extensions of the ties B, a locking rod C that is connected with the switch points in a manner to be moved laterallyinwardly and outwardly during the movement or throw of the switch oints in either direction, and cooperating ockin means on the stationary portion of the evice and the outer end 0 the rod olpierating in such manner that thesaid loc ng rod is positively locked from endwise movement, and the switch points likewise held from movement in either of their two positions, by said cooperating locking devices. S id cooperating locking devices are indep dent of the switch operating mechanism so that, notwithstanding impairment of the switch stand or any of its parts, the switch points are held or-locked positively in either of the positions which they assume.

Referring illustrated embodiment of the invention, the lock rod C extends at its inner end beneath the track rail and is connected with a lug c that is fixed to the adjacent switch point; the

said lugbeing formed on a bar 0 bolted or now more specifically to the otherwise fixed to the said switch point. The inner end of the lock rod is provided with an upturned fork, the arms of which eX- tend on either side of said lug and fastened thereto by a pin or bolt 0 The locking device cooperating with the outer end of the lock rod comprises, in general terms, a suitable base D mounted on extensions of the ties B or other stationary sup ort, and a sliding locking frame which slides transversely tothe axis of the lock rod; said lock frame carrying locking devices that cooperate with the lock rod for the purpose set forth. The base D is provided with upright standards d d (1 throu h openings (1 of which the said locking frame slides longitudinally of the base. Said locking frame may conveniently consist of upper and lower bars 6 e that are connected at their ends by filler blocks 6 e attached to said bars by means of rivets or the like.-

The central standard (1 of the base is provided with an opening disposed transversely to the guide opening 'd through which extends the outer end of the lock rod, the said outer end of the lock rod and o ening being herein shown as rectangular. The lock rod C is provided near itsouter end with upwardly and downwardly o ening, marginal notches which are adapte for engagement by locking detents e 0 carried by the frame E. The said locking notches a c are located a distance apart equal to the movement of the switch points from their closed to their open positions. The detents e e are located in the same vertical plane with each other, the upper one 6 depending from the lower face of the frame bar 6, while the lower one rises from the upper face of the lower frame bar 6 When, therefore, one of the detents is engaged with one of the notches of the lock rod the other detent stands opposite to the solid or unbroken part of the rod, as clearly indicated in Figs. 5 and 6. The detents are located a distance apart slightly greater than the thickness of the lock bar 0 at the part thereof which engages the guide standard d As shown in Fig. 5, the upper detent e is engaged with the upwardly opening notch c of the bar, and in this position the switch points are locked closed. The locking frame is moved endwise to release the detent e from the upwardly opening locking notch, thereby unlocking the switch points to permit the switch to be opened. Inasmuch, however, as the lock rod is solid or unbroken in the path of the lower detent e the movement of the locking frame is arrested by the engagement of said lower detent c with the lock rod, but not until the upper detent is free from the lock rod. During the subsequent opening of the switch the locking rod 0 is moved endwise, which is permitted by reason of the disengagement of the detent e from the notch c. When, however, the

I switch has been thrown-"open, the lower notch '0 is brought opposite the detent e whereupon the locking frame completes its endwise movement or throw to engage said detent c with the lower notch of the lock rod in the manner shown in Figs. 4 and 6. 1 It will thus be noted that the switch points are locked positively in either of their positions and that they cannot be thrown to open or close the switch until after the looking device is released.

Any suitable means may be employed for shiftin the lockin frame in the manner describe sothat a'ter the lock has beenreleased it may be operated to lock the switch points in another position.

As a further and separate improvement, I have provided means operating, after the locking frame has been arrested by the lower detent, and occupying what may be called, a lock-set position, to automatically shift said frame to its final position, wherein the lower detent is engaged with the outermost notch and the switch points locked open. The mechanism for effecting this result, in the present instance, is made as follows:

The lower bar 6 of the locking frame is provided on its lower face with rack teeth e that are engaged by the teeth of a gear segment F that located between lugs d (1 depending from the base or bar D of the looking device and fixed to a rock shaft F that has bearin in said lugs d To the outer end of said roc shaft is fixed a lever F The said lever F is free to swing from one limit of its angular movement to the other and is arrested by suitable stops at the limits of its movement. The lever operates through the rock shaft F and gear segment F to slide the locking frame from one limit of its movement to the other.

In Fig. 6 is .shown the position of the lever when the switch is locked in-its normal or closed position. In order to release the locking device to unlock the switch points, as shown in Fig; 4, the lever is swung upwardly past the perpendicular and the action of gravity continues the movement of the lever and the parts controlled thereby until arrested by contact of the lower detent 0* with the solid part of the lock rod. This position of the parts is what may be termed the lock-set position. Thereafter, when. the switch points are thrown open by the switch actuating mechanism, the shifting of the switch points acts to move the lock rod endwise until the lower notch 0 of the lock rod is brought opposite to the lower detent e. The weight of said lever thereafter acts to further shift the locking frame and engage said lower detent with its cooperating downwardly opening notch of the lock rod, thus locking the switch in its open position. The latter positions of the parts are shown in Fig. 4. Obviously, the return movement of the locking device to release the same and permit the switch 'to be again locked closed is the reverse of that just described. It will thus be seen that when the switch is to be shifted, the lever F is swung to its lock-set position, and thereafter when the switch points are swung to one limit or the other of their movement, thesaid lever operates to automatically lock then in the position described.

The recess between the lug d inclosin the gear segment F is closed at its lower si e by a casing d which, to ether with the lugs, is shaped to receive sai gear segment.

I claim as my invent1on:.

1. A switch point lock consisting of a looking device independent of the switch actuating mechanism, a longitudinally reciprocating lock-rod fixed at its inner end to the switch points and adapted for locking engagement at its outer end with said locking evice and means controlled by the shifting of the switchpoints to automatically move said locking device from an intermediate or unlocking position to a locking position.

2. A switch point lock consisting of an endwise movable lock-rod attached to and extendin laterally from the switch-points, a lockin device cooperating with the outer end 0? the rod for positively locking the switclvpoints, means for setting the locking device in a lock-set position to release the switch -points, and means controlled by movement of the switch-points for automatically locking the switch in a position towards which said points are shifted.

3. A switch-point lock consisting of an endwise movable lock-rod attached to and extendin laterally from the switch-points, a locking device cooperating with the outer end of the lock-rod for positively lockin the switchpoints, means for setting the loc ing device in a lock-set position to release the switch points and gravity acting means controlled by movement of the switch-points for automatically locking the switch in a position towards which said points are shifted.

4. A switch-point lock consistin of a looking device for positively locking tieswitchpoints and embracing an operating lever which swings in a plane transverse to the direction of movement of the switch-points, means whereby said lever is arrested in a releasing or lock-set position, and means whereby the lever swings to its locking position upon subsequent movement of the switch-points.

5. A switch-point lock comprising, in combination with the switch-points and an endwise movable rod attached toand extending laterallytherefrom, a locking device cooperating with the outer end of said rod including a swingin operating lever and means whereby said lever is arrested in a lock-set position to release the switch-points, constructed upon subseqilent shifting of the switch-points and endwise movementof said rod to permit said lever' to automatically swing into position to lock the switch-points in place.

6. A switch point lock consisting of alongitudinally reciprocating lock rod connected at its inner end with the switch-points, a lockin device located at the side of the track and in ependent of the switch actuating mechanism, and interlocking parts on the outer end of said rod and the locking device which are brought into position for engagement and re lease by endwise movement of the lock-rod.

7. A switch point lock consisting of a lock rod independent of the switch operating mechanism connected with the switch points and provided at its. outer end with two locking-devices separated from each other a distance substantlally equal-to the throw of the switch, and locking devices cooperating with the -locking devices on the lock rod for positively lockin the switch points in either of the positions tiereof.

8. A switch point lock consisting of a looking device independent of the switch actuating mechanism, a lock rod connected at one end with the switch points and provided at its other end with notches separated longitudinally of the switch rod and detents carried by the locking device for separately engaging said locking notches for the purpose set forth.

9. A switch point lock consisting of a looking device, a lock-rod connected at one end with the switch points and provided at its other end with longitudinally separated notches, detents carried by the locking device for separately engaging said locking notches, and a lever for giving movement to said detents.

10. A switchpoint look consisting of a looking device, a lock-rod connected at one end with the switch points and provided at its other end with longitudinally separated notches, detents carried by the locking device for separately engaging said lockin notches, a lever for givlng movement to sai detents, and means whereby the lever and said detents are arrested in a lock-set osition and arranged to permit automatic ocking of said rod upon subsequent shifting of the switch oints.

l 1. A swltchpoint lock consisting of a look ing device independent of the switch actuating mechanism, a lock rod connected at its inner end with the switch oints and provided at its outer end with notches separated longitudinally of the switch rod, said locking device embracing a sliding lockin frame through which said rod extends, an

, detents carried by said sliding frame adapted for separate engagement with said notches.

12. A switch point lock consisting of a looking device, and an endwise movable lock-rod connected at its inner end with the switch- 130 points and provided at its outer end with notches separated longitudinally of the switch-rod, saidloc 'ng device embracing" a sliding member, and detents carried by said sliding member adapted for separate engagement with said notches.

4 ment with the upper and lower notches of t e rod.

14. Aswitch point lock consisting of alock ing. device independent of the switch actuatwhich also the rod extends,

ing mechanism, and a lock rod connected at one end with the switch points and provided at its other end with notches separated longi tudinally of the rod, said locking device consisting of a base disposed transversely of the rod and apertured-for guiding enga ement with the outer end of the lock rod, a frame sliding endwise of the base through and detents carried by said frame adapted for separate engagement with said notches. i

15. Aswitch point lock consistin of a looking device, and an endwise movable lock-rod connected at its inner end with the switchpoints and provided at its outer end with notches separated longitudinally of the switch-rod, said locking device embracin a sliding member, detents carried by-said sliding member adapted for separate engagement with said notches, and rack and gear mechanism for sliding said member.

16. Aswitch point lock consisting of a looking device, and an endwise movable lock-rod connected at its inner end with the switchpoints and provided at its outer end with notches separated longitudinally of the switch-rod, said locking device embracing a sliding member, detents carried by said shding member adapted for separate engagement locking device in -ment with the locking with said notches, and a swinging lever for giving endwise movement to said sliding member. h

17. A switch oint lock consisting of a ependent of the switch actuating mechanism, and a lock rod connected at one end with the switch points and provided at its other end with notches separated longitudinally of the rod, said locking device consisting of a base disposed transversely of the rodand apertured for guiding engagement with the outer end of the lock rod, a locking frame sliding endwise of the base through which also the rod extends, detents carried by said frame adapted for separate engagement with said notches, and rack and gear mechanism for sliding said frame.

18. A switch oint lock consisting of a locking device in ependent of the switch actuating mechanism, and a lock rod connected at one end with the switch points and provided at its other end with notches separated longitudinally of the rod, said locking device consisting of a base disposed transversely of the rod and apertured for guiding engageouter end of the lock rod, a sliding endwise of the base through which also the rod extends, detents carried by said frame adapted for engagement with said notches, and means for giving endwise movement to said frame comprising a rack on the frame, a gear segment engaging the rack and a weight lever for rotating said gear.

locking frame 19. In a switch-point lock the combination I with the endwise movable lock-rod, a detent adapted to enga e a notch or shoulder on the lock-rod to loci the same from endwise movement, a lever for operating said detent, means whereby the lever may be set in a lock-set position and means whereby the lever falls to its locking position upon endwise movement of the lock-rod.

In testimon that I claim the fore oing as my invention afiix my signature in t 1e pres ence of two witnesses, this 25th day of September A. D. 1906.

JAMES B. LATIMER.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM L. HALL, A. M. BUNN. 

